3 Songs: On Repeat (Extended Edition)

The Decemberists – “Severed” (When a beloved band announces that they are going to tinker with their trademark sound it can be cause for alarm.  For their eighth album, I’ll Be Your Girl, out today on Capitol Records, The Decemberists have adopted an arena-worthy synth-driven sound that references New Order and Roxy Music-like glam rock.  Though the songs are more propulsive, highlighted by soaring, shimmering and pulsating synths; Meloy’s trademark literary lyrics remain as do elements of folk and country.  The experiment is a resounding success and is their most immediately catchy and upbeat album yet!) http://www.decemberists.com/       

Stream: https://youtu.be/ksTFj6L0mao

Hot Snakes – “Six Wave Hold-Down” (John Reis and Rick Froberg have quite the stored musical history together.  In the late 80’s they formed the post-hardcore band Pitchfork and in the 90’s, the highly-influential Drive Like Jehu.  Then in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, they came together and released three blistering albums of fiery garage-punk as Hot Snakes before moving on to separate projects.  Now after a fourteen year hiatus, Hot Snakes has reunited and are set to release their long-awaited fourth album, Jericho Sirens, today on Sub Pop.    Additionally, Sub Pop recently reissued the first three Hot Snakes albums on CD and vinyl.  So, if this is your first introduction, you are welcome, and you have a lot to catch up on, so get busy!) https://www.subpop.com/artists/hot_snakes 

Stream: https://soundcloud.com/subpop/hot-snakes-six-wave-hold-down

Durand Jones & The Indications – “Groovy Babe” (Indiana’s Durand Jones along with his superb backing band, The Indications create a modern yet retro-minded brand of classic soul with in-the-red vocals, Gospel-soaked organ and bright horns, in the vein of Charles Bradley, Al Green and Curtis Mayfield, whose “Supafly” is sampled on the standout track heard here.  The song is taken from his self-titled debut album that was originally issued in 2016 on Cincinnati’s Colemine Records and has now been reissued today on Dead Oceans in order for it to get the attention it deserves.) https://durandjones.lnk.to/durandjones    

Stream: https://soundcloud.com/durandjonesandtheindications/groovy-babe-1

The Crown – “We Avenge!” (Celebrating 27 years, Swedish metal masters The Crown will unleash their new album, Cobra Speed Venom, today on Metal Blade. Recorded in Studio Fredman with Fredrik Nordstrom, the new album blends their trademark old school Swedish death metal grooves and riffs with raging power metal alongside some speedy rhythms and a biting lyrical venom that lives up to the album’s title.) https://thecrownofficial.bandcamp.com/album/cobra-speed-venom    

Stream: https://soundcloud.com/metalbladerecords/the-crown-we-avenge

Yo La Tengo – “For You Too” (The long-running indie rock trio of Ira Kaplan, Georgia Hubley and James McNew return today with the release of their fifteenth album, appropriately-titled, There’s A Riot Going On.  Issued by Matador Records, the fifteen-track album was produced by the band and is gentle and moving as ever yet hypnotic, psychedelic and more experimental, with the use of loops and samples.  Matching in slow-burning intensity, the lyrics reflect the unnerving feeling present in our society today with all of the political unrest.)   http://smarturl.it/TheresARiotGoingOn

Stream: https://youtu.be/LtAvd5qUcNY

Oneida – “Good Lie” (For their first album in over six years, the highly-experimental Brooklyn art-rock band recently released Romance their new album and debut for Joyful Noise Recordings. Kid Millions, Bobby Matador and Shahin Moita create heady, hypnotic soundscapes with Krautrock rhythms that burst and bloom with guitar noise, tumbling drum fills and bits of melody like on the buzzy, bouncy and slightly poppy single “Good Lie” heard here.)  https://oneida.bandcamp.com/album/romance

Stream: https://youtu.be/h4wref9op0w